Mokoko, a speciality coffee house and artisan bakery, will be making its first foray into Bristol’s vibrant food and drink scene when it opens at Wapping Wharf in early June.
Bath-based independent retailer Mokoko is to set up its new venture along Gaol Ferry Steps at Wapping Wharf, a new quarter alongside Bristol’s waterfront. It will include an open plan bakery where visitors will be treated to the spectacle of seeing everything from fresh bread to home-made cakes baked in front of them, as well as a speciality quality coffee offering.
As well as indoor seating, there will be seating outside on the terrace in front of Mokoko for visitors keen to take advantage of the summer sunshine.
Mokoko has agreed to take two units totalling 1600 sq ft on a 10-year lease at Wapping Wharf. Gaol Ferry Steps, a new route connecting south Bristol to the city centre that opened to the public last week, is set to be lined with independent retailers, including food and drink outlets.
Jake Harris, founder and managing director at Mokoko, who has been working in the coffee and hospitality industry for 20 years, said: “We are thrilled to be joining the new Wapping Wharf community. When we heard about this new quarter at the very heart of the cultural and leisure hub of the city, and with a strong focus on independent food and drink, we knew it would be the perfect fit for us.”
“Mokoko is proud to be an independent retailer with an ethos focused on providing high quality coffee and baked goods, as well as excellent service. We can’t wait to welcome our first customers into Mokoko at Wapping Wharf in just a matter of weeks.”
Their team also includes Dale Ingram, head pastry chef & baker with over 30 years of experience working with sourdoughs and levens, and Jordon Keen, a highly skilled barista and former UK Barista Championship competitor, who will both be based in Bristol.
Mokoko, which already has two coffee houses in Bath, has been trading for five years and will initially create around 15 jobs when it opens in Bristol following its investment in a major fit-out of its new units.
Stuart Hatton, director at Umberslade, the developer behind Wapping Wharf, said: “Mokoko is going to be a brilliant addition to the Wapping Wharf quarter and fits in perfectly with our vision to create an exciting, new neighbourhood offering a real community vibe and brimming with independent retailers. We have had a huge amount of interest from retailers keen to become a part of Wapping Wharf and we are really looking forward to seeing the first ones open this summer.”
As well as the independent retail offering along Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf will be home to Cargo, Bristol’s first ever retail hub made of converted shipping containers. There are also plans for Cargo 2, a second retail hub, also with an independent food and drink focus, due to popular demand. Gaol Ferry Steps is an important part of this new neighbourhood, providing access from Gaol Ferry Bridge straight down to the waterfront and Museum Square.
Wapping Wharf will deliver over 600 apartments in total, with the first phase featuring 194 apartments, including 26 affordable homes. Over 100 residents have moved into their homes so far. Plans are well under way for phase 2 of the scheme, which is the final piece in the jigsaw that will complete the regeneration of the iconic floating harbour.
